Imagine what could happen if you committed to taking 20 minutes out of your busy life three times a week to quiet your mind and reflect on how you could be generous and give to others.
This is the challenge that alumnus Joe Johnson ’98, partner with DeLong & Brower Financial Services, issued to Hope Forward juniors recently as part of their Financial Foundations series. In this co-curricular series, students focused on topics such as budgeting, managing debt, investing and retirement, and financial planning.
“You can’t just say, ‘I want to be a generous person.’ You have to be intentional,” Joe, parent of Hope nursing major Brooklyn, told the students.
Joe handed the students a list of 30 small actions they could take that would easily fit in their daily routine. He asked them to choose three to five that most resonated with them. When practiced over time, Joe told the students, these acts will build the powerful habit of lifelong generosity.
“Generosity is more than giving money,” Joe explained. “Kindness is an act of generosity; listening, putting away the tech and focusing on what’s important to another person; finding out the needs of others and of the community—there are so many ways to be generous and invest in people.”
Being generous is also good for you. Joe pointed to studies that show generous people have increased happiness, improved mental health, lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.
“People can get a ‘helper’s high’—a wonderful feeling when endorphins are released, which can combat depression,” he said.
Generosity is one of the three pillars of Hope Forward, a funding model where students receive their tuition paid for by donors and agree to pay it forward at any amount they choose after graduation so other students can have the same opportunity. Hope’s goal is for all students to have their tuition covered. For now, groups of about 40 Hope Forward students are being added each academic year while long-term funding is raised to cover everyone.
Access and community are the other pillars of Hope Forward. Program Director Nicole Dunteman said co-curricular programming, which all Hope Forward students participate in outside of their regular classes, is designed to help students lead lives of impact rooted in generosity and gratitude. This idea is what excites Joe Johnson most about the program.
“What they are doing with students—giving them a foundational guide to life which centers around leadership and generosity—I was blown away when I found out this part of the program existed,” Joe said. “This is four years of working with students to be good human beings. They are teaching kids to be good stewards. This is seldom taught in high school and college.”
“That’s what students will take away more so than what they learn in the classroom,” Joe added.
He coached students to see their future careers as a “platform for ministry, witness, and generosity” not just a means to pay the bills. When you love and embrace your work, using it as a means to develop your God-given gifts, it has a ripple effect in impacting the lives of others, Joe said.
Ultimately, that’s what Hope Forward is all about.
“This is torture!” was my immediate thought each time a gust of wind blew against me, chilling me to the bone. Despite wearing a scarf and winter gloves, the tip of my nose would turn a brilliant pinkish red, and my fingertips would gradually grow numb. The only “warm” parts of my body were my feet, snuggled cozily in thick snow boots. Overall, the biting cold was just too much for me. Coming from a country with a tropical climate, I was not accustomed to the chilly weather in Michigan. During my first few weeks of college, I dressed in multiple layers of clothing on top of thermal undergarments and a winter coat. I was determined to stay as warm as possible, even if it meant taking on the appearance of a puffball mushroom. As the weeks passed and the weather grew blisteringly cold, I was increasingly anxious to acquire a long winter coat because the ones that I owned were only up to my waist. Unbeknownst to me, God had just the perfect coat in store for me.
Throughout the past few weeks, I spent most of my leisure time scouring the internet for long jackets. On several of those occasions, I was tempted to make impulsive purchases because I was desperate to protect myself from the bitter cold. However, just as I was ready to click the “confirm purchase” button, I felt compelled to exit the shopping cart and review the product for the following day. During my devotion the next morning, God spoke to my anxiety and worry. The devotional for that day talked about counting my blessings rather than my burdens, and the scripture verse was taken from James 1:2–4. Feeling encouraged and assured, I decided not to make any purchases and to fully trust that God would provide in His time. On Friday, November 17, I received an email from Hope’s Center for Global Engagement with the subject line, “Are you in need of a warm coat for the winter?” The college was blessing students who were in need of a good winter coat to counter the freezing weather. Overjoyed at the news, I quickly responded to the email and was promptly granted a date and time for the coat pick-up. A delightful surprise awaited me!
Fast forward: the day to receive my coat arrived! I excitedly rushed over to the Bultman Student Center to meet up with Andrew Haggerty, the assistant director of Student Life, who then directed me to the inventory to pick out a coat of my choice. On the way, he casually mentioned that aside from the coats, there were also pairs of winter gloves that I could choose from and claim for my own. Upon hearing that, I almost burst with joy.
After Andrew left to meet with other students who had also signed up, I found myself gazing blankly at the racks and boxes of clothing, completely overwhelmed with awe and wonder at God’s provision.
There were an assortment of coats, ranging from waist-high to below-knee, that were of fine quality. Additionally, the gloves were cold-resistant, which was what I needed since mine were not suitable for winter. In His perfect timing and way, God heard more than what I prayed for, answered more than what I asked for, and delivered more than I could have anticipated. Through the seed of faith (believing that God will provide) combined with trials of hope (staying hopeful amid the cold), my provision from Him blossomed in ways that were unexpected.
When Hope adjunct professor Susanna Lankheet read in this Hope Forward Blog about retired Professor Bill Moreau and how he can’t seem to retire from giving – she launched into a special kind of Hope Forward giving all her own. The two go way back to high school when Bill Moreau was her English teacher. That’s only the beginning of a touching story about how she ended up following in his footsteps, right up to his former office in Lubbers 312.
Thank you for the feature on Mr. Moreau! He is the reason I am a teacher today—I am living proof that kindness matters.
Bill was my high school English teacher who encouraged us to write, think as we created words on a page, and explore meaning in literature.
He was also funny and charming! No doubt many of my classmates remember him for his sense of humor that won over more than a few grumpy teenagers. I remember him clearly: standing in the halls of Hamilton High greeting us first thing in the morning, present and showing care.
One day an opportunity to write for the Holland Sentinel rolled around for a new student section in the paper. Mr. Moreau asked my friend and me if we were interested, and I said yes.
I said yes to creativity, to taking a chance, to seeing the world in a slightly larger context than from my comfortable perch in Grafschaap, Michigan.
My friends were featured in the Sentinel articles I wrote. We wanted to be artists and individuals—late 90s versions of punk rockers. We hung out at the Park Theatre for alternative night on Saturdays, dancing to the Cure. They had things to say and I wrote about their style. Later, those articles garnered a journalism scholarship to Western Michigan University. I wrote decently because I read a lot, but also because I had an editor. I had Mr. Moreau. I had a person who cared about my mental and emotional mechanics, someone who saw potential in me.
Fast forward: I earned a degree in English after five luxury years on campus, continued to explore spiritual paths, and on graduation began teaching at a community college.
The courses I taught were dual-enrollment so that meant I was in a high school. It felt familiar but more satisfying than my own Hamilton High days. I was the one greeting students, reading over their essays, and asking about their day. I was Mr. Moreau?!
Not quite yet. Mr. Moreau did other things to give back because that is his nature. He’s one of the most humble and approachable people I’ve ever met. Whatever other good stuff he did and does is never shouted to the rooftops.
As a grad student pursuing English, my career horizons expanded, and I accepted a job at Hope teaching gifted middle schoolers for an academic year. Guess who I saw on campus? Guess who was kind, down-to-earth, and walked everywhere? That’s right.
I graduated again, became more deeply invested in Christianity, jumped a few personal hurdles, and was hired as an adjunct professor at Hope teaching Expository Writing. The same course that Mr. Moreau taught! It gets better: because Hope is a generous and thoughtful place, adjuncts are bequeathed offices. I was assigned Lubbers 312.
It brings tears to my eyes thinking about how momentously full circle this is—my office had been Mr. Moreau’s.
I saw him not too long ago delivering campus mail, walking, of course. And I could barely speak as I realized again and again that faith is real, kindness matters, and it’s so amazing.
Some thirty years after high school I continue to be encouraged by Mr. Moreau. He gives his earnings to Hope Forward? Well, I will as well.
Of course Bill can’t be matched in generousness, so the most-kindhearted title will always be his.
To celebrate the most generous day of the year, our students want to share with you what they would want to say to the people who have made their Hope College education possible.
We currently have 80 students on our campus receiving the gift of a fully funded education because of generous people like you (and like Dr. Bill Moreau and his wife who shared their story in our previous post). In turn, these students have committed to generous, annual giving back to Hope after they graduate so future students can have the same opportunity. This beautiful cycle of giving is what we call Hope Forward, and what we one day want for every student at Hope College.
While I could go on and on about the depth and breadth of impact Hope Forward is having on our students, today I’ll stick to sharing about the impact it’s having on their hearts and minds. In a world that makes selfishness easy, I see our students ready to live a life of giving rooted in gratitude and abundance because of the gift they have received.
If students could meet our donors, here are some things they would want to say…
Thank you for this gift that goes on to be a gift for many and many generations. Your gift is a catalyst of Hope. Because you gave, I will also give. I am forever grateful and blessed.
Your gift is and will impact far more than just me.
You are a part of changing the world through Hope, and we couldn’t thank you enough.
You are an inspiration to be generous.
I am so grateful for you! I get to study to be a nurse and help others through challenging times because of your generosity. What an incredible gift and blessing! Thank you!
Thank you for your generous and selfless giving that enabled me to be where I am today. Thank you for showing me Christ’s love in action.
Thank you for providing me the opportunity to receive something so valuable that I will carry with me forever.
Thank you for your generous donation. Thank you for giving me a chance to do something great with my life.
Thank you so much for this great gift! You have no idea how much your generosity means to not just me but my family, community and country. God bless your heart!
Thank you for trusting me to steward well what you give me.
I cannot wait to do what you have done for me for other people!
Want to join in on the contagious gift of generosity and gratitude this GivingTuesday? Visit hope.edu/givingtuesday to make your gift.
Retired faculty, Bill Moreau ’76, is working to give back to the student body of Hope College.
Bill didn’t know what he wanted to do after college but was always sure about one thing: helping people. He taught at Hamilton High School at the same time he was teaching at Hope. Simultaneously teaching secondary and higher education was a unique experience. However, he says it is exactly what he needed to be doing at the time. He highly values the relationships, which he referred to as “friendships,” he has cultivated with students.
During his teaching years at Hope, Bill taught sections of English 113 and Senior Seminar. He loves that he would see students in his Senior Seminar who took his English 113 course as freshmen. It was a heartwarming full-circle moment. Getting to know people through writing was important for him to do as a professor. “Hope students are interested in doing well and want to do a good job,” he said. This translated not only to just words on a page but through actions and campus involvement. He wanted students to know that he was invested in them not just as students but as young people.
He has lived up to his expectations as he has received yearbook dedications and has been invited to deliver the commencement address a few times at Hamilton. Those personal achievements are what he recalls as some of the most notable awards from his career. His impact on students has also gone global as he was a participant in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange which resulted in him teaching in England for a year. From there, he continued this legacy by sending high school students to the United Kingdom and hosting students here in Holland.
Given his extensive career, it is no wonder that he has not been able to say a final goodbye to campus. “I wasn’t great at retirement,” he said. “I missed Hope students.” In his free time, Bill is back on campus working in Print and Mail as a route driver. Occasionally he will run into students, faculty and staff. This experience has allowed him to see how invaluable staff services are. Kim, Kristi, Madison and all of the other campus support staff work hard behind the scenes to make the campus run. He has the utmost gratitude for them and their commitment to the college. It makes his role as a route driver all the more worthwhile.
Bill may have become a route driver because he wasn’t great at retirement, but it goes beyond that. Bill and his wife made the decision that 100 percent of his paycheck while working in Print and Mail gets donated back to Hope Forward. He doesn’t do this so he can be recognized for his efforts. In fact, he would rather keep this information behind a curtain never to be acknowledged. The reason he is willing to share his contribution to Hope Forward is because it encourages people to give in a unique way.
He always thought that education was too costly, but he never knew what to do. With Hope Forward he sees an idea that can work and is willing to contribute to it. Hope Forward allows students to become a part of a healthy society. “The real world is being represented on this campus through Hope Forward,” he explained.
Bill sees Hope Forward as something people need to be putting on their list of things to give to. If everyone can make a small contribution, it will add up to be big and make a difference. “If it inspires people, then it’s worth it,” he said. Giving to Hope Forward is to help the world that Hope grads enter into. It is a way to give Hope to the world.
My name is Spencer Turbin and I am a current senior at Hope studying economics, global security and German. I am originally from Livonia, Michigan, and now live in Traverse City, Michigan. I started my freshman year at Hope in 2020 in the heat of the pandemic and will graduate May 2024. I have experienced and witnessed Hope College through varying stages but have found growth and gratitude through all of them.
My initial decision in coming to Hope was rooted in the community it provided, the unique high-quality programs and resources present, and the cost of attendance. For me, I was privileged enough that paying for Hope was a ‘doable feat’ through both Hope-provided and independent scholarships, generous contributions from my family and on-campus jobs. While I cannot say that the financial aspect was stress-free, I can attest that I am extremely lucky to be graduating from Hope this spring with little to no debt. As I face the bittersweet reality of graduation in May, I can confidently say that I am excited and encouraged by what my future may hold.
Exploring discernment and calling are important processes for all college students, but they are particularly emphasized institutionally at Hope. For me, this process contains an excess of exploration and opportunity. I get to make exciting decisions about where in the U.S. I may live, what industry I want to start my career in, and most importantly, what type of values I wish to emphasize as I align my personal goals with professional career options.
An exciting aspect of the discernment process is doing it alongside my peers. However, this is where a clear divide emerges. It is easy and encouraging to talk to friends in similar situations as me; but for the majority of my friends, this is not the case. Financial sacrifices, burdens and entanglements limit many of my peers’ decision-making factors when composing post-grad plans. These factors often center around location and the financial need to stay at home, seeking a numeric requirement that will simultaneously cover cost of living and loan payments. Pursuing this type of stability often leads to traditional jobs that are devoid of personal passion. None of these factors are inherently negative or wrong, but it is unrealistic to assume that they have no impact on the potential happiness or change affecting the opportunities of Hope graduates.
Interning with the Hope Forward initiative has been a huge privilege as it has allowed me to see Hope Forward in all of its stages. Through both myself and my friends, I have witnessed the initial benefits of Hope Forward through Anchored Tuition. Through current cohort members, I get a glimpse of a community and an opportunity that can one day be a reality for many Hope students. Through my specific work at admissions, I get to hear stories and meet students from all over the world who embody hope, hard work and generosity. It’s tremendously encouraging to see the willingness and desire of these students to bring their stories and talents to Hope College.
One of the strongest certainties I have identified through my work with Hope Forward is that it doesn’t mean or represent one singular thing. Hope Forward means and represents different things to each person. To me, Hope Forward encourages and celebrates excellence and hard work. It transforms a college education into a multi-faceted investment in human potential and it provides a necessary experience to students regardless of their background.
The work of Hope Forward and the potential it brings means meaningful change for all Hope students to come. This will not only be seen through reduced tuition bills, but also a change in the way students interact with their education and their community. This change will not only have an impact on the student experience, but also on Hope College as an institution. An innovative shift in the way that Hope operates and creates graduates has the ability to redefine how we think about higher education as a whole. This change in thinking is critical as it allows us to ensure that all students who are capable of succeeding in college are able to attend college in the first place.
“The power of education is so transformative,” said Kara VanderKamp ’95. She would know. She’s seen education change the lives of 4,500 Nigerien children and counting.
The CEO and founder of Remember Niger Coalition (Remember Niger) was transformed by a Hope College education. She wants to pay it forward the Hope Forward way by ensuring as many children as possible receive a high-quality education in Niger, West Africa, the least-educated country in the world.
According to VanderKamp, only half the children in Niger attend primary school and only 20 percent of them attend secondary school because many live in rural areas with no access to education. If they are fortunate enough to attend school, the quality of their education suffers from rampant overcrowding, often with 100 students in a single classroom.
VanderKamp has been working with local Nigerien community leaders for the past 16 years to change that. Through Remember Niger, a nonprofit organization dedicated to unifying people and mobilizing resources to expand quality educational opportunities in one of the least-developed nations on earth, 80 classrooms have been built and 4,500 students are receiving an education.
This is life-changing because many students come from the most vulnerable groups, including the disabled and orphans. Education especially changes the lives of girls living in extreme poverty. They are often married in their early teens, sometimes to husbands with more than one wife, VanderKamp explained. Getting a primary education means they are more likely to attend high school and graduate with skills providing income-earning potential and a more independent future.
Working with an in-country counterpart, VanderKamp supports local churches and organizations that want to provide education in their communities but don’t have the resources. “It takes a lot of effort and sacrifice on their part to start a school,” said VanderKamp, noting that the Nigerien government doesn’t have the funding to support them. “We give them the right level of support and come alongside and encourage them so they will take the leap.”
Remember Niger raises funding mostly through churches across the United States and is the bridge to churches and organizations in Niger who have a vision to provide education in their communities. Remember Niger funds construction of classrooms, latrines, security walls and other school structures, with the goal of local leaders owning and operating the schools.
In addition, the nonprofit organization coordinates student sponsorships, where generous donors agree to cover individual students’ education expenses. Remember Niger also focuses on wellness by providing daily meals, planting school gardens, conducting hygiene education and meeting students’ acute medical needs. With only 62 percent of Nigerien teachers having one year of post-high school training, Remember Niger also sponsors a Teach-the-Teacher program in coordination with the local Ministry of Education, VanderKamp said.
“The foundation of what we do is relational,” she added. “Institutions of education don’t change people. It’s the relationships you form through those institutions. Through loving care, empathy and kindness, lives are changed.”
VanderKamp’s involvement with education in Niger started with her time at Hope. “It was definitely about relationships at Hope,” said VanderKamp, who formed deep friendships with her Sigma sorority sisters and the women on Hope’s soccer team, where she was a captain.
“Hope gave me the space to explore, experiment and take many different classes,” said VanderKamp, a political science and elementary education major. “I loved the way professors really helped you think critically about the world around you and not to be judgmental.”
Doing a Washington Semester through Hope where she had an internship in the Department of Education stoked her adventurous spirit. It gave her the confidence to go to England to play soccer after graduation, work for Habitat for Humanity and teach children for a missionary family serving among a semi-nomadic tribe in Africa. That’s when Africa “stuck in my heart,” she said.
After teaching in Chicago for several years and earning a master’s degree in international educational development, she got a job with the Presbyterian Church (USA) as an educational consultant. Working there eventually led to her starting Remember Niger, something she never dreamed of doing.
One of the reasons she could pursue a life of impact in Niger was that she graduated with no student debt. Her parents put VanderKamp and her three siblings through Hope College. To do so, her mother, Joyce, returned to work full time, dedicating her entire salary to their Hope education so they would not have to take out loans, VanderKamp said.
“A Hope education was an enormous gift,” she added – a gift she now can pass along to children in Niger. And she’s confident that the students in Niger will pass their gift of education to others the Hope Forward way.
“When you ask students what they want to do with their education, nine times out of 10 they will say, ‘I want to help my community and be useful to my country,’” VanderKamp said. “They feel like they’ve won the lottery when they can get an education.”
As we wrap up the first quarter of the fall semester, I am struck by the excellent work happening at Hope College and what that means for bringing about God’s healing and goodness in the world. During his time on campus last spring, Malcolm Gladwell said it brilliantly: “Our nation is facing three major hurdles that affect its wellbeing: the model of higher education funding is broken; young people today face a mental health crisis; the Church is fractured, and often viewed as irrelevant.” He then beautifully proclaimed that Hope Forward addresses all three. It’s a vision in pursuit of a culture that entails community, access and generosity.
Erin Drews, Hope Forward Coordinator
In my role as program coordinator, I have the distinct privilege of walking alongside the 80 students who are currently receiving the gift of a fully-funded tuition experience. For the first year of my role, I thought about the Hope Forward Scholars and those who champion Hope Forward as “culture catalysts” who propelled that way of existence. However, the more I engage the role I see that this vision is a natural one for Hope College: that the program virtues of community, access and generosity are not prescriptive for Hope College, but rather confirming of an already incredible Hope College.
“Generosity” can be defined as “freely and abundantly giving of oneself.” I am struck by how deeply a culture of gratitude and generosity is already present at Hope; I think about the excellent work being done here that is catalyzing such a culture: . . . To the professor who spends hours helping a student understand a concept, an ideology, a historical reality, or an equation- you are freely and abundantly giving of yourself. . . . To those of you who open your offices for discussion, or your homes for an end-of-semester meal- you are freely and abundantly giving of yourself. . . . To those of you who sit with a student in moments of crises and celebration: you are freely and abundantly giving of yourself. . . . To those of you who keep our campus clean, maintained and safe: you are freely and abundantly giving of yourself. . . . To the students who diligently lead Orientation, MSOs, Dance Marathon, and more: you are freely and abundantly giving of yourself.
This isn’t just a future vision. The Hope College community already models and participates in a culture of generosity. Hope Forward is merely a by-product of an existing culture. So perhaps those of us involved with the program are less of culture catalysts, and might be more accurately described as culture amplifiers; that a more realistic description of what we do in the program is elevating an existing culture of community, access and generosity that was created ahead of Hope Forward. The vision is not at odds with Hope College; it is Hope College.
YOU, dear Hope College community, daily invigorate my faith in this vision, and as previously stated I believe that you are why we see the program pillars in action. As an alumna, I can say with full confidence that those along my college journey shaped my lived experience in meaningful ways that I continue to carry with me. My prayer is that as we wrap up month one of the school year, you are reminded of the ways you are already living this vision so beautifully.
They say sequels are never as good as the first, but when it comes to the Hope Forward Program, I adamantly disagree. Year two of the program surpassed all expectations and proved to be nothing short of extraordinary. As the Program Director, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that Hope Forward has had on the lives of our students. In this year-end recap, I am thrilled to share the highlights of our journey with you.
Welcoming New Students and Building Community:
Last August, our 22 sophomores warmly welcomed 36 freshmen to campus. Together, our 58 students bring with them a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and experiences as they represent 11 different countries and 19 U.S. States. Their diverse interests and passions are exemplified by the 22 different majors represented among the 34 students who have already declared a major. Approximately half of our 58 students are students of color, and around 20% are proud first-generation college students. Amidst all their differences, they beautifully find commonality through a desire to bring hope to areas of hopelessness which was a foundational aspect of their Hope Forward application process.
“We [the cohort] are all so different which is beautiful. God has a plan for all of us and it is so evident when I interact with each and every one of them. I have always considered myself a glass half-full kind of person, however, my cohort friends help me see how the glass can not just be half-full but overflowing.”
– Freshman Student
Another remarkable characteristic they have in common is their lifelong, covenantal relationship with the college. These students are receiving the gift of a college education while committing to generous, annual giving back to Hope after they graduate. This distinctive model, known as Hope Forward, fosters a deep sense of gratitude and reciprocity within the community.
“The Hope Forward Program helped me find a community that inspires me to work hard and that gives me a lot of support. It helps me to get motivated and to remember that we can always share good things and put effort into the betterment of a community.”
– Freshman Student
Learning Together
Throughout their time on campus, Hope Forward students engage in a comprehensive program designed to prepare and equip them for a lifetime of positive impact rooted in gratitude and generosity. The program, spanning from orientation to graduation, offers co-curricular learning opportunities aligned with the program pillars of community, access, and generosity. Guided by our dedicated team and strong campus partnership, students cultivate virtues such as gratitude, generosity, curiosity, and hope through integrated and applied learning, habitual practice, mutual accountability, and meaningful connections with virtuous role models.
“Hope Forward gave me a community that was catalytic and accepting. It reminded me that I was here on purpose and for a purpose in a deep and impactful way. I learned to love amidst fear and transition, to learn from my peers, and to empower my drive for change by leaning on the love of others.”
– Freshman Student
A few highlights of this past year include:
Shared meals with Hope administrators like President Scogin and CFO, Tom Bylsma, where students learned more about the innovative funding model of Hope Forward and its potential impacts on higher education
The creation of a “Cohort Community Covenant” and an art collaborative project which provided an opportunity for students to articulate their commitment to personal growth and investment in the cohort experience
The development of a personal portfolio which gives students an opportunity to reflect on a series of prompts related to the learning outcomes throughout the year
A cohort-hosted banquet that empowered each student to use their gifts and talents to show gratitude to their invited guests of honor
A weekly seminar during which the cohort collectively defined the pillars and then individually presented on what they love in connection to the pillars
Participation in the innovation foundation workshop led by the Office of Possibilities
And, last but certainly not least, the Catalyst Summit when students shared a meal with Malcolm Gladwell, debuted their cohort collaborative art collection, shared personal stories and experiences with thought-leaders, and celebrated being a foundational part of Hope’s big vision
Student Investment and Growth
The program is still in its pilot phase and we continue to learn from students every day, but early indications tell us that our students are invested in their education and are thriving at Hope. We are thrilled that every single one of our freshmen are planning to return to Hope this fall giving us a 100% freshman-to-sophomore retention rate. I also want to highlight the remarkable achievement of our students – our Hope Forward students are performing academically on par with their peers (dispelling the notion that eliminating tuition reduces a student’s academic investment), almost all (97%) of our students say they feel like they can positively contribute to Hope College, 89% are involved in one or more co-curriculars (which research tell us only elevates classroom learning), and every single one of our students report that they are leading a purposeful and meaningful life. To me, these stand in stark contrast to the narrative we often hear about young adults post COVID.
We also had 100% of our students report typically exemplifying and demonstrating the virtue of gratitude and 97% typically exemplifying and demonstrating generosity. It gets me so excited to think about a generation full of young people with strong virtues and unshakable character running fearlessly and uninhibited toward a hurting world.
Looking Ahead
“Hope Forward makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself.”
– Freshman Student
Before we start year three, I want to end this year expressing immense gratitude for this big, bold vision that our community gets to embark on together. Hope Forward is creating a multi-generational community where we humbly receive and then, in turn, get to give out of abundance and gratitude so that future generations can do the same. Proverbs 11:24 says, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer.” Hope Forward’s cycle of giving and communal investment makes our community rich; rich in love and grace, which was first given to us through the gift of Jesus and points us back to Him.
This fall, we’re looking forward to welcoming an additional 24 Hope Forward students into this rich community and we anticipate nothing less but continued learning and growth together.
If you would like to learn more about the Hope Forward student experience and hear student stories, please visit hope.edu/forward.
Peter Baldwin had a lightbulb moment and started seeing Hope Forward in a whole new light.
The president and owner of AMDG Architects, while munching on his box lunch, was listening to the Rev. Trygve Johnson make the Christian case for Hope Forward at a lunch-and-learn session at Hope’s recent Catalyst Summit.
The Catalyst Summit on campus, March 2023.
Johnson, the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel and Hope College’s campus ministries leader, was explaining that the Hope Forward funding model is rooted in God’s grace. Hope Forward is a revolutionary plan where students fund their education through gifts after graduation rather than paying for college through tuition and debt up front.
To demonstrate his point, Johnson referred to the Bible’s parable of the landowner who hired people throughout the day to work his land. At the end of the day, he paid each worker the same wage, whether they worked long or short hours. The workers who worked longer grumbled because they didn’t think the wage was fair.
“That’s the rub with God’s generosity,” Johnson said. “A generous gift isn’t fair. A generous gift is shocking. It can be overwhelming, even upsetting. Because a gift is not about merit. We don’t earn a gift. By definition a gift is something we can only receive. The sustaining energy of the Christian faith is not what we do for God, but what God has done for us.” Generosity is what Hope Forward is all about. Hope Forward’s plan to cover the cost of tuition for every student means the college is taking a transactional exchange where students pay tuition in return for an education and turning it into something life transforming, Johnson explained.
“Moving from contract to covenant is a rich idea,” said Baldwin, whose architectural firm has done many projects on campus including two phases of Cook Village, van Andel Huys der Hope Campus Ministries center, the Future of Work renovation of the lower level of DeWitt for the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, and the Jim Heeringa Athletic Center. “What I find inspiring is Hope College’s why. Hope College is in the business of shaping souls, not just another liberal arts college creating a financial model that works so they don’t close their doors.”
Peter Baldwin (right) on campus for a scholarship luncheon.
When students’ tuition is covered by generous donors, it changes everything, Johnson explained. Students are free to choose a career that will make a difference in the world instead of choosing a job only to repay debt. This creates a circle of giving, where those who have received the gift of tuition want to give back so others have the same opportunity. It’s what Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 — “Freely you have received, now freely give.”
Viewing Hope Forward through this lens changed everything for Baldwin.
“I began to see that Hope Forward was not just a strategy to rethink access to higher education and a mechanism to generate a financially sustainable model,” said Baldwin.
“Hope Forward is a powerful expression of Hope’s fundamental purpose — a way to operationalize our mission of living into a culture of generosity and giving that goes with God’s salvation plan.”
While Baldwin fully endorses Hope Forward’s goal to provide access to a transformational Christian liberal arts education for all students, regardless of their ability to pay, he is realistic about the challenges ahead. It will require tremendous effort to do the fundraising on the front end to make it work.
But Johnson said Hope Forward literally means Hope College is “putting our money where our mouth is about our Christian mission.”
“The Christian mission is why we’re doing this, not just for our sustainability, not just for affordability, but because we are a people who have received the gift of God and we want to live in such a way that we’re passing that forward to the next generation,” Johnson said. “And for a suspicious generation right now, that’s the story that they need to hear about God.”
